India will continue to respond in a “measured” and calculated manner to terrorist attacks against its citizens and territory, but it will not tolerate any moves by Pakistan to escalate military conflict, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a phone call on Thursday night. The conversation came amid growing tension following cross-border hostilities between India and Pakistan.
During the call, Jaishankar expressed appreciation for the United States’ commitment to cooperate in the global fight against terrorism. He said India’s actions were aimed at maintaining stability and ensuring that terrorism is countered firmly but responsibly.
“Underlined India’s targeted and measured response to cross-border terrorism. Will firmly counter any attempts at escalation,” Jaishankar stated in a post on social media platform X following the discussion with Rubio.
On a separate call with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rubio stressed the need for “immediate de-escalation” of military tension, according to a U.S. State Department spokesperson. The appeal from the U.S. came at a time when tensions were rapidly rising between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
The conversation between Jaishankar and Rubio occurred just hours before Pakistan launched a wave of missile and drone strikes aimed at Indian military sites. The strikes targeted regions including Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, representing one of the most coordinated aerial attacks in recent years. These assaults were met with strong defensive responses from the Indian military.
Most of the incoming projectiles were neutralized by Indian air defense systems, preventing what could have been extensive damage and casualties. Despite the successful interception, the attacks triggered panic, prompting air raid sirens and blackouts in several areas close to the border, including the union territory of Chandigarh, which lies only 244 kilometers from the national capital, Delhi.
In one of the more intense exchanges, eight missiles were fired by Pakistan at military positions in Jammu and Kashmir alone. Fortunately, all were intercepted before causing any damage, according to official sources. In Punjab, Pathankot, which lies just 30 kilometers from the Pakistani border, experienced a full-scale blackout in anticipation of further attacks.
Local residents posted dramatic footage on social media, capturing the frightening spectacle of Pakistani missiles blazing through the night sky and exploding mid-air as they were intercepted by Indian defense systems. These videos showed the tense atmosphere along the border and the high level of alertness maintained by Indian forces.
According to defense sources, at least one Pakistani fighter jet was reportedly shot down during the incident. The aircraft, identified as a supersonic F-16, was believed to be part of the strike mission targeting Indian facilities.
This latest wave of Pakistani attacks came just one day after another barrage of missiles was launched late Wednesday and early Thursday. That earlier offensive targeted Indian military installations in 15 cities, including Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Srinagar. In response, India’s air defense network, primarily the Russian-manufactured S-400 system, successfully intercepted and neutralized the incoming threats.
In retaliation, India deployed its Israeli-made HARPY drones to conduct strikes on Pakistani air defense systems. These drones reportedly hit targets in Lahore and other strategic locations, significantly weakening Pakistan’s ability to protect its airspace and making it vulnerable to potential future counterstrikes.
The ongoing escalation follows India’s execution of precision strikes on terrorist camps located both in Pakistan and in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). These strikes, carried out by Indian armed forces, were launched under the codename “Operation Sindoor.” The coordinated military action took place early Wednesday morning and was completed within a 25-minute window starting at 1:05 a.m.
During the operation, Indian forces unleashed a powerful assault using a range of advanced weaponry, including HAMMER smart bombs and SCALP missiles. A total of 24 munitions were deployed, targeting nine terror sites—four in Pakistan and five in PoK. These sites, identified as headquarters and training facilities for terrorist organizations, were completely destroyed in the operation.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reported that more than 100 terrorists were killed during the strikes, marking one of the deadliest counterterror operations conducted by India in recent years.
Operation Sindoor was a direct response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, located in the southern part of Kashmir. That brutal assault was carried out by four militants belonging to The Resistance Front, a known proxy group of the Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist organization.
The attackers opened fire in the Baisaran Valley, a well-known tourist destination located less than 70 kilometers from Srinagar, killing 26 people. Many of the victims were civilians, adding to the sense of outrage across the country and triggering an urgent response from Indian authorities.
The horrifying incident in Pahalgam had drawn strong condemnation from Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Following the attack, Modi vowed that India would retaliate and hold the perpetrators accountable for the loss of innocent lives. “Those who are responsible for this cowardly attack will not be spared,” he said in a statement soon after the incident.
The Indian government’s firm stance on dealing with cross-border terrorism has now manifested in a series of military actions aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure and sending a clear signal to those providing safe haven to such groups.
As the situation evolves, the international community, particularly the United States, has been closely monitoring developments. The Biden administration has emphasized the importance of restraint and de-escalation while also expressing support for India’s right to self-defense.
At the same time, New Delhi has communicated that it remains committed to regional stability but will not shy away from responding to any threat to its sovereignty. Jaishankar’s message to Secretary Rubio reinforces India’s position: it seeks peace, but not at the cost of its national security.
The coming days will be crucial as diplomatic and military channels remain active. With the U.S. urging both sides to reduce tensions, attention now shifts to whether Pakistan will heed the warning or continue with provocative actions.
Meanwhile, India has reaffirmed that it will continue to act decisively against terrorism while avoiding unnecessary escalation. This balance between assertiveness and restraint underscores New Delhi’s strategy of safeguarding its interests without plunging the region into wider conflict.